Day 1: Arrive Quito, Ecuador
Welcome to Quito, the vibrant capital of Ecuador! Upon your arrival at Quito’s international airport, you will be warmly greeted by a representative who will assist with your transfer to your hotel. Along the way, you’ll catch glimpses of this charming city nestled high in the Andes, renowned for its rich history and stunning colonial architecture.
Once you’ve checked in, take some time to relax and unwind after your journey. Whether you choose to rest in the comfort of your hotel or step outside to explore the local area, the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Quito’s welcoming atmosphere and scenic surroundings are the perfect introduction to your upcoming adventures. Prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey starting tomorrow!
MEALS: Nil
OVERNIGHT: Casa Gangotena, Quito or similar
Day 2: Quito: City Tour & Middle of the World
After enjoying a delicious breakfast, embark on a guided tour of Quito, a city steeped in history and culture. As a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, Quito’s historic centre offers a treasure trove of architectural and cultural wonders. Wander through its cobblestone streets, admire the stunning colonial-era buildings, and visit some of its most iconic landmarks, such as the Basilica del Voto Nacional, a Gothic masterpiece, and the ornate San Francisco Church, and the beautiful La Compañía de Jesús Church, renowned for its ornate gold interior. Along the way, your guide will share fascinating stories about the city’s history and its blend of indigenous and Spanish influences.
In the afternoon, journey to the Middle of the World monument (La Mitad del Mundo), located just north of the city. Here, you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere at the equatorial line, an experience that perfectly combines science, history, and fun. Learn about the cultural and geographical significance of this location, and don’t forget to take memorable photos to mark the occasion. You may also explore the nearby museum to discover more about the local traditions and scientific experiments related to the equator.
Return to your hotel in the evening to relax and reflect on a day filled with incredible experiences. Prepare for the adventures that await in the days ahead.
MEALS: Breakfast
OVERNIGHT: Casa Gangotena, Quito or similar
Day 3: Quito ~ Galápagos Islands: Santa Cruz Island ~ Black Turtle Cove
Start your journey with a hearty breakfast before heading to the airport for your flight to the remarkable Galápagos Islands. Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, a National Park-certified naturalist guide will warmly welcome you and assist with your transfer to the cruise ship, your home for the coming days. After settling into your cabin, attend a welcome briefing where the crew will outline the itinerary and share key information to ensure you get the most out of this unforgettable adventure.
In the afternoon, visit Black Turtle Cove on Santa Cruz Island, a serene mangrove lagoon accessible only by panga (small, motorised boat). As you glide through calm waters, keep watch for green sea turtles, golden rays, spotted eagle rays, and white-tipped reef sharks. The mangroves are also a haven for seabirds like herons, pelicans, and blue-footed boobies. This peaceful sanctuary, teeming with marine life, offers a perfect introduction to the pristine ecosystems and incredible biodiversity of the Galápagos.
Return to the cruise ship in the evening, unwind, and enjoy dinner on board as you prepare for the adventures ahead.
HIGHLIGHTS: Green Sea turtles, reef sharks, rays, herons, blue-footed boobies, and mangroves.
TRAIL DISTANCE: N/A
LEVEL: 1
ACTIVITIES: Panga ride.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: M/C Galaxy Sirius
Day 4: Galápagos Islands: Rábida Island ~ Chinese Hat Island
Begin your day with a visit to Rábida Island, known for its striking red-sand beaches formed by iron-rich volcanic soil. This unique island is teeming with wildlife, including sea lions lounging on the shore, marine iguanas soaking up the sun, and vibrant birdlife such as pelicans, Darwin finches, and mockingbirds. Follow the inland trail for stunning views of the beach and a nearby saltwater lagoon, where you might spot ducks, stilts, and flamingos. Along the cliffs, keep an eye out for Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, and brown noddies.
SNORKELLING: Dive into the clear waters off Rábida’s beach and explore a protected rocky reef alive with colourful fish, sea lions, rays, and reef sharks. The vertical walls are home to an incredible variety of marine life, making for an unforgettable underwater experience.
HIGHLIGHTS: Red-sand beaches, sea lions, Darwin finches, flamingos, mockingbirds, and reef sharks.
TRAIL DISTANCE: 2km
LEVEL: 1
ACTIVITIES: Wet landing, hiking, snorkelling.
In the afternoon, travel to Chinese Hat Island, a small islet with a perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone that gives it its name. The dramatic scenery includes dark lava fields, turquoise waters, and coral sand beaches, creating a tropical paradise. Stroll along the shoreline, where you’ll encounter sea lions resting on the rocks and explore the island’s fascinating volcanic terrain.
SNORKELLING: Swim in the vibrant waters surrounding Chinese Hat, where schools of colourful fish, reef sharks, and rays are common. If you’re lucky, you may even spot Galápagos penguins darting through the water like agile torpedoes, chasing anchovies.
HIGHLIGHTS: Sea lions, Galápagos penguins, reef sharks, oystercatchers, and volcanic landscapes.
TRAIL DISTANCE: 1.3km
LEVEL: 1
ACTIVITIES: Wet landing, hiking, snorkelling.
Return to the cruise ship in the evening, reflecting on a day of extraordinary landscapes, wildlife encounters, and unforgettable snorkelling adventures. Enjoy dinner on board and look forward to the adventures ahead.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: M/C Galaxy Sirius
Day 5: Galápagos Islands: North Seymour Island ~ Mosquera Islet
Begin your day on North Seymour Island, one of the most wildlife-rich spots in the Galápagos. Follow the rocky trails to see magnificent frigatebirds, with males inflating their bright red throat pouches to attract mates, and blue-footed boobies performing their famous courtship dance. Keep an eye out for land iguanas basking in the sun and sea lions relaxing on the beaches or surfing in the waves. This unique combination of dramatic landscapes and abundant wildlife makes North Seymour an unforgettable experience.
SNORKELLING: Explore the underwater world filled with diverse marine life, including sea lions, fish, sharks, turtles, and rays.
HIGHLIGHTS: Frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, land and marine iguanas, sea lions, and swallow-tailed gulls.
TRAIL DISTANCE: 1.4km
LEVEL: 1
ACTIVITIES: Dry landing, hiking, snorkelling.
In the afternoon, visit Mosquera Islet, a small sandy island located between Baltra and North Seymour. Known for its large sea lion colonies, Mosquera offers incredible opportunities to watch playful pups resting, swimming, and interacting in tide pools. Bird enthusiasts can spot endemic lava gulls, herons, and other shorebirds along the beach.
SNORKELLING: Dive into the surrounding waters, where you can discover colourful fish, rays, and more vibrant marine life.
HIGHLIGHTS: Sea lions, lava gulls, oystercatchers, and shorebirds.
TRAIL DISTANCE: 0.6km
LEVEL: 1
ACTIVITIES: Wet landing, hiking, snorkelling.
Return to your cruise ship in the evening to relax and enjoy a delicious dinner, reflecting on the incredible wildlife and natural beauty you’ve experienced throughout the day.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: M/C Galaxy Sirius
Day 6: Galápagos Islands: Santiago Island ~ Sullivan Bay ~ Bartolomé Island
Start your day at Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island, an incredible volcanic landscape formed by a 19th-century eruption. Walk across vast, moon-like lava fields, marvelling at the intricate patterns and formations left behind as the lava cooled. Your guide will explain the area’s fascinating geological history while you look out for hardy pioneer plants, lava lizards, and small birds. Along the shoreline, you may spot penguins, pelicans, and oystercatchers, adding life to the stark surroundings.
SNORKELLING: Cool off with a swim or snorkel from the coral sand beach, where the underwater world contrasts the barren land above. Discover schools of fish, reef sharks, rays, turtles, and even Galápagos penguins darting through the water.
HIGHLIGHTS: Pahoehoe lava, Galápagos penguins, oystercatchers, and turtles.
TRAIL DISTANCE: 2.2km
LEVEL: 3
ACTIVITIES: Dry landing, hiking, snorkelling.
In the afternoon, visit Bartolomé Island, one of the most iconic spots in the Galápagos. Hike to the island’s summit for sweeping views of Pinnacle Rock, a striking volcanic formation rising from the turquoise waters. The panoramic views of volcanic cones, surrounding islands, and Sullivan Bay make for one of the most photographed landscapes in the archipelago.
After your hike, relax on Bartolomé’s sandy beach or dive into the clear, calm waters for an unforgettable snorkelling experience. Swim alongside playful sea lions, colourful fish, reef sharks, turtles, and Galápagos penguins – one of the few places you can see them up close in the wild.
HIGHLIGHTS: Pinnacle Rock, Galápagos penguins, sea lions, volcanic landscapes, and reef sharks.
TRAIL DISTANCE: 1.5km
LEVEL: 2
ACTIVITIES: Dry landing, hiking, snorkelling.
Return to your cruise ship in the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner, and reflect on the extraordinary sights and wildlife you’ve experienced throughout the day.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: M/C Galaxy Sirius
Day 7: Galápagos Islands: Genovesa Island ~ El Barranco (Prince Philip’s Steps) ~ Darwin Bay
Start your day at El Barranco, also known as Prince Philip’s Steps, on Genovesa Island. This steep, rocky trail leads you up to a plateau with incredible views of the surrounding cliffs and sea. Bird lovers are in for a treat as the area is teeming with wildlife. Look out for red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and large flocks of storm petrels nesting in the lava cliffs. If you’re lucky, you might spot short-eared owls hunting among the rocks. The base of the cliffs provides shaded spots for Galápagos fur seals, while seabirds soar overhead.
SNORKELLING: Explore the waters near the cliffs, where you’ll find schools of fish, playful sea lions, rays, and even small sharks gliding through the depths.
HIGHLIGHTS: Red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, short-eared owls, storm petrels, fur seals, and sea lions.
TRAIL DISTANCE: 1.2km
LEVEL: 3
ACTIVITIES: Wet landing, hiking, snorkelling.
In the afternoon, visit Darwin Bay, a stunning cove formed by the collapse of a volcanic crater. Relax on the white sandy beach or follow the trails through mangroves, where you’ll spot nesting frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, and lava herons. Inland, you may also encounter Galápagos doves, mockingbirds, and Darwin finches. The bay is a birdwatcher’s paradise, buzzing with activity as seabirds nest, feed, and soar above.
SNORKELLING: Dive into the calm, clear waters of Darwin Bay to discover colourful fish, playful sea lions, rays, and small sharks. Whether near the cliffs or the beach, the marine life here is vibrant and plentiful.
HIGHLIGHTS: Frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, night herons, sea lions, and colourful fish.
TRAIL DISTANCE: 1.2km
LEVEL: 3
ACTIVITIES: Wet landing, hiking, snorkelling.
As the day winds down, return to your cruise ship for dinner and reflect on the incredible wildlife and landscapes of Genovesa Island. Relax and prepare for more adventures in this unique archipelago.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: M/C Galaxy Sirius
Day 8: Galápagos Islands: San Cristóbal Island ~ Interpretation Centre ~ Quito
Start your final day in the Galápagos with a visit to the Interpretation Centre on San Cristóbal Island. This educational facility offers a fascinating overview of the islands’ history, geology, and ecology. Explore exhibits showcasing the formation of the archipelago, its unique wildlife, and the conservation efforts protecting this extraordinary ecosystem. It’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on your journey and gain a deeper understanding of the delicate balance between nature and human activity in the Galápagos.
TRAIL DISTANCE: 2.2km
After the visit, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Quito. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and taken to your hotel, where the rest of the day is yours to relax or explore the city. Whether you choose to unwind, stroll the charming streets, or pick up some last-minute souvenirs, it’s a wonderful way to conclude your adventure. Enjoy a restful evening in Quito before your onward journey the following day.
MEALS: Breakfast
OVERNIGHT: Wyndham Airport (Suite), Quito or similar
Day 9: Depart Quito
Start your final day with breakfast at your hotel before checking out. You can then use the hotels airport shuttle to transfer back to the airport.
As you leave, reflect on the incredible memories you’ve created during your time in Ecuador—from exploring the historic streets and landmarks of Quito to marvelling at the extraordinary wildlife and breathtaking landscapes of the Galápagos Islands.
Take with you not only photos and souvenirs but also the stories of your adventures, the wonders of nature you’ve witnessed, and the cultural experiences you’ve embraced.
Safe travels, and we hope to welcome you back to Ecuador for more unforgettable experiences in the future!
MEALS: Breakfast
Set sail on the jewel of our Galapagos Galaxy Cruise fleet—Galaxy Sirius. Designed with the
